Chapter 1. Elton.
There should be a better way of lying down in a car; A manual with all the positions maybe? For context; my mother and I were moving, so everything we owned was in boxes, we tried hiring a U-Haul but couldn't get one so instead we have the boxes in the backseat of a rental car. I tried curling up but I felt cornered, so I turned to my side and my headphones would not stay in. I gave up a few minutes later and looked at the window. Watching the palm trees receding. Goodbye Florida.
Moments later I felt my mother's hand on my shoulder. I look into her eyes, blue like the ocean. And try to give her a reassuring smile.
deep down we both knew.
we're fucked.
Dear god. QUIT GIVING YOUR HARDEST BATTLES TO ME!! I am not your strongest soldier.
We pull up into the driveway and immediately I feel cold air. I'm far from used to this. It's only September and it's already freezing, let this day end please.
I have a heavy bag around my shoulder, I open the door to the house expecting something small but I'm greeted with a tall apartment "wow" I mutter grabbing the bags and slinging them over my shoulder, walking past the large living room to my own room. The only thing inside of the room is a bunk bed.
"Elton." My mom calls out.
"Mom for the a millionth time please just call me John" I whine- she find's me staring at the bed and puts a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "oh hush sweetheart'; Elton is a great name." I stare at her with a look she's well familiar with "Alright john." she says sarcastically.
she suddenly "How do you like your room?" she walked in and looked around for a moment, I turn to hurt and point to the bed. "Are we keeping this?" She looked at me with a look that I am well aware of and sighs in defeat "I'm sorry baby I'll try and get you one that's normal next time" "No mom. It's completely alright" I flash he a genuine smile she comes close and puts her hands on my shoulders "It's all we can afford right now honey, my new job is only paying for our rent, and this was the least expensive bed I could afford honey... now go unpack, your clothes will smell gross if you keep them in the bag for another day."
As she leaves I sigh and fall onto the bottom bunk with a thud, I hadnt realized before but there was no mattress so I hit my head on the wood, sitting back up I rubbed my head and mumbled "shit.." I say softly. I sit up and hear a voice "having troubles?" I jump at the deep voice and turn bright red. "Jesus you scared me.." I look him up and down and see he's around my age, he has black hair, a long coat, and pale skin. And god was he hot.
"who are you?" I mutter up the courage to ask. "your worst nightmare" he says balancing himself off the doorframe and walking closer. "I live next door. My name is Andy, I'm just helping out with your bags"
I realize how close he is but not in time. He walks closer nearly pinning me to an invisible wall. "And don't worry; I think Elton is a pretty sick name" he whispers in my ear with a smile, causing a shiver to shoot down my spine.
How I wish I wasn't gay. A guy whispers in my ear and my whole world collapses.
I stare at him before averting my gaze, "Yeah well, it was either Elton or Bowie." I said flatly trying not to seem flustered when I look back at him. First I notice his eyes. Green like the algae in the sea. then his smile. Oh god that smile.
He backs up barely and looks at me one last time. "Goodbye love" he says before walking out leaving me astonished. What the fuck just happened.
I walk down the street feeling the unfamiliar cold air on my face yet all I can wonder is "what is wrong with me?"
When he left my house. the feeling of his touch hadn't. And god was a I touched deprived.
While eating dinner my mother brought him up, causing me to sit up straight "You know that boy? The one who helped out with boxes?" I nod. "He's nice" she says simply.
I nod almost expecting her to ask if I'm attracted to him; but deep down I knew she would never.
I tried everything to forget. I tried listening to music, I sat down and read. I took a shower to wash the thoughts of him off but I still couldn't get the lingering feeling if his long slim fingers on my shoulder pulling me in closer, and whispering his sweet praise. His hot breath hitting my ear. I believe this is what heaven would be like. I should pray more often. In the end I decided it would be best to rub it off. I felt disgusted by myself but truthfully it did help. It helped me realize I am a pervert.
I forget I'm walking to school and realize that I've been standing outside the entrance for a few minutes.
I had only realized when a boy my height came up to me and tapped my shoulder. He looked my age, his hair was combed back and slicked back with gel. He was cute. He looked uptight with his hair and outfit, but maybe if he let it down he would- "hey HEY!" He said. I hadn't realized he was talking to me. "You're Elton right?" I move away from his touch "I prefer John" I respond trying to stay calm. "alright you need to tell your teachers that; my name is Simon. I will be showing you around" I nod my head and smile trying to be as respectful as I can while also trying to ignore the fact I was fantasizing about his body five seconds ago.
"Alright. You're pretty early- school starts at 7:30 not 7:10 we had to change it in order to make room for extra activities." He kept talking as is stared at the art on the wall. I was disgusted by the fact I thought I could do better. "alrighty this is where we part, you can ask me if you have any questions" he said with a smile. I returned that smile. But unlike his mine was full of lies.
Algebra was first. I was in the room before the class and looked around. Each desk had a name on it, as if it was elementary school. I had found a desk without a name in the back of the class and got my book out to read. As people slowly started to pile in the class my mind was looking at the page. Not paying attention to the people but not reading the words on the pages. I don't want people to talk to me.It was like this for my second block too. Taking notes but never looking at my classmates.
Soon it was lunch. I wanted to ask someone why lunch was so early; but decided against it. I need to keep to myself. I was planning on hiding in the bathroom or library for lunch before Simon came and grabbed my sleeve "sit with us" out of shock I followed. He led me to a table full of boys and girls, wearing the uniforms provided even though uniforms were a mere option, they all had simple pulled back or gelled natural colored hair, whereas I had dark brown hair- mixed with light parts. I had dyed my hair basically every color of the rainbow.
"is it natural?" I look up to see a girl talking to me with a smile. "Your highlights. Are they bleached by the sun or did you-" her smile didn't fade but I could tell the wrong answer would set her off "They're... natural" technically it wasn't a lie. Since I dyed my hair black and it faded to this naturally. "Good!" She smiled before continuing another conversation.
I realize I didn't have a book nor a phone to distract me. I left them in my last class.
My eyes began to wander when they met with a pair of green eyes staring at me from across the lunch room.
Shit.
